Fast bowler Atkinson Exacerbates England's Fitness Problems.

Gus Atkinson increased England's injury problems upon exiting the field early on day two of the fourth Ashes Test versus the Australians.

The pace bowler experienced discomfort in his left hamstring after the final ball in his spell on Saturday.

Team management indicated the 27-year-old had experienced "tightness" and would spend time on the sidelines in order to be assessed "during the day".

The final Test of the series in Sydney begins this coming Sunday.

England have previously lost strike bowlers Mark Wood due to knee trouble and another paceman with an abdominal strain during this series.

A replacement bowler was brought into the squad as cover for Wood.

The seamer had a tough time during the first two matches, claiming a mere a handful of scalps.

He was dropped for the Adelaide match, only to be brought back for the Boxing Day match to fill the void.

Surrey's Atkinson improved at the MCG, taking two wickets in Australia's first innings, before adding 28 as a batsman being one of only three English batsmen who passed ten runs.

Post a single over in Australia's second innings, he resumed the next day and dismissed the nightwatchman Scott Boland caught behind.

However, at the end of that over, he delivered a variation to Travis Head and immediately felt at his leg.